Manchester United finally confirmed the signing of 18-year-old fullback Diego Leon this week and Leny Yoro was among the players to react.
Paraguayan wonderkid Diego Leon has officially join Manchester United, following an initial agreement reached back in January.
Leon becomes the latest addition to Manchester United’s growing pool of young talent, joining the likes of Sekou Kone, Ayden Heaven, and Chido Obi — all signed for relatively low fees but brimming with promise.
Heaven and Obi have already cemented their places in Ruben Amorim’s first-team plans, while Kone caught the eye with an impressive showing during his unofficial debut in a post-season friendly last month.
The 18-year-old, who arrives from Cerro Porteño, has already made headlines with claims that he plans to push for first-team action next season.
Yoro and Garnacho react to Leon signing
The club confirmed the deal on Saturday morning, with the statement: “Manchester United are delighted to announce the signing of exciting young defender Diego León, subject to registration.
“Leon reached the age of 18 in April and as an emerging talent will be supported by our first team and the Academy whilst he settles into life in Manchester. Welcome to United, Diego!”
The talent himself reposted the images of his announcement on social media, and included the message: “All in!! Let’s go Red Devil ❤️❤️❤️”.
Meanwhile, Alejandro Garnacho and Leny Yoro were two players to like the club’s announcement post of Leon. The Argentine winger took a picture with Leon earlier this year when he visited Carrington.
They might not get the opportunity to play together, however, after it was reported that Garnacho is among a group of players who has a delayed return for pre-season to give him time to facilitate a move away.
How Leon’s United career will start
The club’s statement announcing Leon explained that he will ‘be supported’ by both the first-team and Academy. This suggests that he will have a similar integration process to Kone.
Rather than heading out on loan, we are more likely to see Leon start his United career in the Under-21s before he gets some opportunities in training with Amorim’s squad.
Fans will be able to watch more football of Leon and the rest of the Under-21s squad more often than beforehand next season too, as Premier League clubs have agreed to lift PL2 broadcasting restrictions from the 2025/26 season onwards.
This means the removal of the rule that previously prevented matches from being shown live at the same time as Premier League fixtures – except the 4.30pm Sunday slot.
But Leon’s ambitions are to reach the first-team as soon as possible, and pre-season will give him the chance to showcase his level to fans and Amorim.
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